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By Ben Wilkinson on November 24th, 2008

Tags: Press Clipping

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What memories will you take from Beijing 2008? The Beijing Olympics got underway last Friday, with a unique and quite incredible Opening Ceremony. The fireworks, theatre and special effects were nothing short of spectacular, and after the opening weekend’s sporting events, the Games themselves promise to be little different.

I for one spent the weekend glued to my TV. Already we have witnessed some truly great sporting moments, full of achievement, hope and emotion. I’m already watching sports I’ve not watched for four years, I’ve been gripped to Craig Fallon’s valiant attempt at the bronze medal in the judo (he ended a credible 7th), as well as witnessing the most nervous of starts by Team GB badminton hope Andrew Smith (he finally came through after a dreadful opening first round match). Among other sports, I also took in Chinese weightlifter Chen Xiexia winning the hosts their first gold, the first of many I suspect.

Sunday’s action saw a wonderful first gold for Team GB; Nicole Cooke in the women’s road race (cycling) took victory in a thrilling sprint finish at the end of the gruelling 75 mile course. Extra special for me as she’s from my native Wales, the first Welsh gold of my lifetime. Awesome. In the boxing, 18 year old Brit Billy Joe Saunders started in some style and he looks set to become one of the incredible stories of Beijing 2008. My ‘red button’ on the Beeb has just become the best thing since sliced bread and by the end of August I’m sure it will be toasted!

The start for me has been so refreshing. After months, if not years, of media debate surrounding the political issues of staging the Games in China, the focus has finally moved to the passion drivers - the sports, the heroes, the winners and the losers. Don’t get me wrong, I have full understanding for the political agenda and I’m hopeful the 2008 Olympics marks the start of new beginnings for China and its people. But, for me the Olympics is about the special moments, and they can only really begin when the flame is lit and burning bright.

Of course, focus will occasionally move to the important issues of humanity and the environment, but now the main event is the actual event itself. It’s impossible to put into words the impact of a Games. The impacts will be officially measured but to millions of people the Games will mean something different and unique. Each of us will remember the magic moments that touch our emotions and that for me is the true measure of the event. The moments may only last a fraction of a second but the memories they create will last a lifetime.

This Olympics is extra special, for we are privileged to know that next time it will be our Games in London. If I can be this excited when it’s over 5,000 miles away, just imagine how it will be with the Games on our doorstep.

When these Games finish I for once will not feel empty. I will feel the anticipation begin for our journey. The London 2012 Games will be the ultimate. An Olympics in which we can all play our part. Join the journey and I promise the memories will last for ever.

By Ben Wilkinson on August 11th, 2008

Tags: Beijing 2008, China, London 2012, Olympic sponsorship, Olympics, Television

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One of the worlds great football clubs, Inter Milan, was formed on 9th March 1908. Almost exactly one hundred years later another team was born, sadly that’s where the similarity ends, but I guess you never know, as they say in football “it’s a funny old game”…

Wednesday 16th July marked the date of the Synergy XI’s first outing, following an invite from our good friends at Action Images, who kindly invited us to the contest. Following a good deal of debate, and many hours in the fifth floor bar (after work of course), the team took to the pitch at the glamorous location of Spurs Lodge, the training home of the mighty Tottenham Hotspur.

Backed to the hilt by our support team (with massive thanks to Powerade - without you I am nothing, frankly, with you I’m little more, but at least I started with professional hydration!) the match kicked off. Things did not start quite as planned, clearly our ‘zonal’ marking was not what we had envisaged in our strategic team tactics sessions. We were a goal down inside 20 seconds and we’d not even touched the ball! A little room for improvement one might say.

“Things can only get better” was the battle cry, or wishful hope to be more precise. So, we soldiered on and to our delight, with a great piece of content and without a bit of clutter, we were back on level terms. That move really set the tone for the Synergy men and throughout 90 minutes of pulsating (should that be pulse racing?) action the debutants put on a fine display of ’sexy’ football eventually coming out on top 9-3. Success at the first attempt, and our very own ’special one’ believes he’s now a candidate for the Chelsea helm when it next becomes available.

What next? Well, I’m not sure we’ll be seeking global sponsorship just yet, but we will be looking to keep up a fine track record. After all, we’ve got a reputation to uphold, who knows in 2108 we may just be the new Inter Milan.

Please get in touch if you fancy a game (but please just give us all a few weeks to recover!).

By Ben Wilkinson on July 22nd, 2008

Tags: Football, Sponsorship

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